Getting a Better View of the World with Contact Lenses

Although they have been around for ages, contact lenses got their popularity only recently. Continuous research and development has led to safer and more convenient contact lenses. They have since become favorite alternatives to using eyeglasses since they are less fragile. They also help maintain ideal visual span as there are no temple arms blocking peripheral vision.

Contact lenses are meant to treat common optical disorders like myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia. Contact lenses may also be used to treat astigmatism. Different contact lenses are fashioned to fit patients with specific optical disorders.

The first contact lenses were made of air-blown or bubble glass. From 1888 to the 1930s, this was the only type of contact lens on the market. It was only later when cheaper plastic lenses were manufactured. This material is sometimes called acrylic glass because it acts as a good alternative to glass for aquariums and lenses for lighthouses and automobile lights.

The very first contact lenses were scleral lenses, worn over the entire visible part of the eye. The first corneal lenses invented in 1949 provided more comfort, and eventually gained mass appeal by the 1960s.

In the 1970s, medical experts were alerted by several adverse effects caused by wearing contact lens. Perhaps the most serious concern then was that contact lenses tended to to limit the flow of oxygen between the conjunctiva and the cornea, the protective film covering,over, coating the sclera and the irises. To address this, gas-permeable lenses were manufactured. These are also referred to as hard lenses, which a Langley optometrist can prescribe.

Hard lenses are commonly used by people suffering from keratoconus, an optical issue characterized by a cone-shaped cornea that negatively affects vision. Some people who are afflicted with keratoconus may prefer soft hydrogel lenses for a more comfortable fit. Langley optometrists offer silicone hydrogel lenses because of the material's flexibility, attributed to its water content. Some athletes prefer this kind of lens due to the silicone hydrogel's exceptional flexibility.

Like gas-permeable lenses, silicone hydrogel lenses are also oxygen permeable. However, this material can cause irritation to the eyes since it naturally repels moisture. If you suffer from dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, traditional eyeglasses may be more effective as corrective eyewear. However, a new generation of silicone hydrogel lenses has also been created; this one remains moist even in dry, air-conditioned areas like offices and airliner cabins. You may contact Langley optometry professionals to get an eye checkup and get prescription contact lenses.